Microsoft word - hweihao_magnetotherapy_suja_article_draft_3

Magnetotherapy: Authentic or just an Attraction? Huang Weihao Caleb Tutor: Ms Tan Hui Leng, Susan SP 1202: Communicating with the Academy
In the last two decades, biomagnetic products have been gradually making its
mark in the health-care industry. Ranging from small magnetic rings and fanciful
magnetic bracelets to king-sized magnetic mattresses, these products have often been
highly acclaimed by sales-people in this field to be effective in aiding the healing
process of muscular-skeletal ailments, or for the general well-being of humans. When
questioned about their effectiveness, it has been repeatedly affirmed that biomagnetic
products are developed based on strong scientific research. However, despite the
strong claims by ardent proponents, biomagnetic therapy (or magnetotherapy) is still
generally regarded with much skepticism by scientists and laypersons alike, even in
the 21st century. The truth is, research conducted in the scientific community on this
matter have yielded a confusing mash of both positive and negative results since the
1960s. General consumers alike, have been uncertain about the claims and criticisms
of this form of alternative medicine. The question on many people’s minds is
commonly whether magnetotherapy is out to magnetize the incomes of unsuspecting
people, or to authentically provide a superior form of healing that current orthodox
Magnetotherapy is no new affair. It has been documented that the Greeks were
using magnets for healing since 2,500BC. The Chinese have also been known to use
magnets alongside with reflexology and acupuncture as a form of medical treatment
back in around 2,000BC. In the west, a book entitled “De Magnet” was published by
an English doctor Dr. William Gilbert in the 16th century, showing that work in this
area had already begun back in the late middle ages.[1] With such extensive history on
magnetotherapy, one might easily be puzzled as to why it still remains a topic of
Compared to the primitive methods of the olden days where lodestones (a
natural stone or rock with magnetic properties) were used for therapeutic purposes,
the prevailing practice today uses various types and forms of magnets with varying
strengths to achieve the same purpose. Magnets used in magnetotherapy today are
differentiated into electromagnets and static magnets, with the latter being more
prevalent in magnetic consumer products. Static magnets are magnets that have a
permanent magnetic field, while electromagnets generate magnetic fields only when
electric currents flow through them.[2] Electromagnets can be pulsed by turning on
and off the magnetic field very rapidly, creating a Pulsed Electromagenetic Field.
(PEMF) The strength of magnets also varies. As a general guideline, refrigerator
magnets are in the range of 35 – 200 gauss (G), while those marketed for pain relief
are usually 300 – 5,000 G, with 300 G being the most common in static magnetic
Modern society have witnessed people who subscribe wholeheartedly to
magnetotherapy despite its current status as a pseudoscience.[4] The primary reasons
why some people use magnetotherapy is because magnet therapy is a much safer
alternative method of healing compared to the consumption of drugs. This is
attributed to the extremely few reported side effects of magnetotherapy to date.[2]
Also, some clinical research that have already been conducted appears to support the
legitimacy that magnetotherapy is effective in pain relief.[5]. In the recent scare in the
United States in 2005 involving painkillers Vioxx, Bextra and Celebrex, such drugs
were ascertained by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be linked to the
increased risk of heart attacks and potential life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding
associated with their consumption[6]. This may have also contributed to the escalating
number of the people turning to magnet therapy for pain relief. Besides having little
or no side effects, magnet therapy only treats a single localized area. This is unlike
administering drugs, where chemicals may affect other parts of the body via the blood
stream, thereby resulting in side effects.
Magnetotherapy and its Social Impact
The magnetic therapy industry has flourished exponentially in recent years. A
study in 2003 reported that the amount of money spent on magneto-therapeutic
products have reached a staggering estimate of US$5 billion worldwide, with US$500
million in the U.S. alone.[7] This colossal amount (for a pseudoscientific claim) calls
for a deeper inquiry into the science behind magnetotherapy. The U.S. FDA currently
does not approve any significant medical claims made by biomagnetic companies (eg.
Treatment of cancer, arthritis etc.), and warrants automatic detention of biomagnetic
product imports, which are deemed as “fraudulent and deceptive medical
devices”.[8][9] Despite such an explicit stand by health authorities, consumers are still
displaying unwavering faith in magnetotherapy.
As probable buyers of magnetic products, we need to closely examine the
claims of both proponents and opponents in this field. Current subscribers ought to
take a step back and scrutinize the claims put forth by proponents in the light of
scientific findings. Magnetotherapy if scientifically proven, may serve as a potent
therapeutic aid, thereby contributing greater benefits to the medical community and
society. If however proven to be a hoax, consumers must be duly warned. Therefore,
there is also a dire need to fuel and carry out more research to validate and expand the
current database, as current findings are still generally labelled as preliminary and
inconclusive.[10] However, this may be challenging as the history of magnetotherapy
has been littered with fraud and hype, resulting in much of the skepticism today.
Dubious or Unproven Scientific Claims in Magnetotherapy
There are several scientific claims by proponents regarding magnetotherapy
which may be presented to consumers during the marketing process of biomagnetic
goods. However, not all of these assertions are regarded with general consensus by
the majority of scientists. In fact, some of them have been criticised to come from
isolated sources, without sufficient proof that the treatment actually works.[11] Some
are clearly erroneous and fallible. This can be very dangerous as unsubstantiated and
unconfirmed findings may mislead patients, causing them to forgo necessary and
appropriate treatments. It is therefore important for consumers to assume a guarded
stance against dubious claims and to consult a reputable healthcare professional
before determining if magnetotherapy is a suitable treatment for one’s illness.
Here, we will closely examine some of the more popular claims brought forth
by proponents: 1) Magnetotherapy increases blood flow; 2) The Magnetic Field
Deficiency Syndrome; 3) Magnetotherapy and the treatment of cancer; 4)
Magnetic Field and Blood Flow
One of the main reasons why magnetotherapy aids in healing is because it
supposedly increases blood circulation. Increased blood flow to the wound or hurting
area means that there is an increased supply of nutrients to the affected region,
together with the faster removal of waste products. Such increase in efficiency would
then facilitate faster healing. Various studies done on both animals and humans to
investigate the effects of magnetic field on blood circulation have yielded mixed
results.[12][13][14] One particular study which studied the effects of a biomagnetic pad
on the flow of aqueous saline solution and distilled water[15] showed that the pad
affected the saline flow, not the distilled water. Although the mechanism for the
increase in saline flow was not evident, it was not due to the dilatory effect on the
walls of the glass capillary tube. Many manufacturers of static magnetic devices have
cited this piece of work as evidence that magnetic therapy can potentially affect blood
circulation. However, the investigator who performed this experiment apparently also
concluded that the results should not be extrapolated to effects that would be expected
with flowing blood.[16] Besides this piece of work, there are several other studies
which have failed to find effects on blood circulation.[14][17][18] At the current moment,
one of the plausible theories proposed on how magnetic field can affect blood flow is
blood vessel dilation. This, however, is still open to criticism and only further
A huge misconception regarding magnets and blood flow that has been
circulating around involves the action of a magnetic field on the iron present in blood.
In this theory, the proposition is that because haemoglobin in blood contains iron, and
because magnets can attract iron, the iron in the blood (in the form of a charged ion)
can be attracted by a magnetic field. This would create heat and in return, increase
blood flow.[19] This nevertheless, is absolutely untrue as the iron in blood is not
ferromagnetic. Ferromagnetic materials get attracted by magnets because of the
concerted behaviour of many magnetic atoms acting together. The iron present in
blood however exists as isolated atoms within large haemoglobin molecules. This
makes it impossible for a magnetic field to act on these iron atoms.
The Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome
The Magnetic Field Deficiency Syndrome was first coined by Dr. Kyoichi
Nakagawa, M.D of Isuzu hospital in Tokyo, Japan in 1976. In his theory, he proposed
that the human body is under the influence of the Earth’s magnetic field, and that this
magnetic field is vital in maintaining the overall balance in the body. Since the earth’s
magnetic field has been decreasing in strength over the years, Dr. Nakagawa suggests
that the lack of magnetism has caused some abnormalities in the body, which includes
“stiffness” of the shoulders, back and neck, heaviness of the head, dizziness and
insomnia for no apparent reason. This, he proposes can be treated by introducing an
external application of a magnetic field to supplement the lack of magnetic field,
which can then improve the conditions of these symptoms. In addition to the
decreasing strength of the earth’s magnetic field, the cities we live in today are being
crowded with iron and steel structures. These, he claims, can absorb a large part of the
magnetic lines of the earth’s field, thus depriving us from the much required magnetic
field. The conclusion of his hypothesis was reached after he cited studies that have
observed alleviation of the above mentioned symptoms after the introduction of
magnetotherapy, and after drawing relationships between the human body and
This theory has been cited widely by companies when marketing products
such as magnetic pillows and mattresses despite it being controversial at large. There
could be a possibility that the decreasing earth’s magnetic field has affected the
wellbeing of human beings. Nonetheless, even Dr. Nakagawa himself concluded in
his paper that he is well aware that further research is needed to be done to confirm
the magnetic field syndrome. He suggests observing a human being who is left in a
test room shielded from all magnetic fields but living in the same conditions as other
people in the real world. The person should then be examined for any magnetic
deficiency symptoms to conclude this claim.
Further doubt may be cast on Dr. Nakagawa’s theory when we consider the
nature of the geographical structure and intensity of the earth’s magnetic field, which
is known to be slowly and erratically changing.[21] It is interesting to note that the
intensity of the magnetic field on the globe is not the same in all geographical areas,
as shown in Fig. 1. For example, there is quite a substantial difference in the magnetic
field intensity in Canada compared to some parts of Brazil.[22] This being the case, and
according to Dr. Nakagawa’s theory, the people in Brazil experiencing lower
magnetic field intensities should manifest more of the magnetic field deficiency
symptoms compared to the people living in Canada. This, however, is yet to be
Fig. 1: Variations in the Earth’s magnetic field as shown on the geographical Magnetotherapy and the Treatment of Cancer
Evidently, the U.S. FDA passed a law forbidding companies marketing
biomagnetic products from issuing any significant medical claims on their products.
This includes the use of magnetotherapy for the treatment of cancer.[8] Before the
enforcement of this law, there were companies and people claiming magnetotherapy
can be used to treat cancer.[23] Such claims could mislead some cancer patients into
substituting the necessary medical treatment for magnetotherapy, which may result in
fatal incidents. As quoted by the American Cancer Society (ACS): “The ACS
advocates for peer-reviewed scientific evidence of the safety and efficacy of these
(complementary and alternative) methods. All cancer interventions must withstand the
scrutiny of peer-reviewed scientific evaluation before they can be recommended for
the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer.”[24] Just like how a newly designed
drug must undergo many years of intense clinical trials and analysis before it can be
released to the general public, magnetotherapy as a form of treatment of cancer must
likewise first be endorsed by health authorities before being advocated. To publicise
and praise positive pilot studies out of proportion and then make strong claims on
them is extremely irresponsible and blatantly unsound. Fortunately, appropriate laws
today have established firm guidelines, protecting consumers from fraudulent claims.
Consumers on their part nonetheless must remain vigilant, and realise that
magnetotherapy is still not considered a legitimate therapy for the treatment of cancer.
Magnetotherapy and Pain Relief
Magnetotherapy is often synonymously linked with pain relief. Besides the
clinical studies that have highlighted some positive results on pain relief, there are
also numerous testimonials given by consumers, testifying that the use of static
magnets can relief pain. Although no scientific mechanisms have yet been
confirmed[25] on how magnetic field can influence pain, the fact that there are positive
results shown may mean that there is value in furthering the study of magnetotherapy
in this particular area. On the other hand, critics have often criticised some of the
existing studies to be poorly designed and executed, using only a small number of
participants and conducted over short durations. Some have argued that a placebo
effect could be the underlying reason for the disappearance or diminishing of pain in
test subjects,[26][27] while others have come to a conclusion that more scientifically
sound studies have to be conducted. This would enable us to understand better the
effects of magnets on the body, together with the possible benefits that could result
While criticising such existing studies, one must also be fair to admit that
testing magnets in clinical trials has presented numerous challenges. For example, the
subject of pain is difficult to study because of its subjective nature, and it being
difficult to quantify.[29] Also, the design of appropriate placebos may be one of the
most significant problems. Using well designed placebos in such studies is of
paramount importance. For a clinical study to be valid, it must be carried out with
double-blinding. Double-blinding prevents the influence of any observer biasness or
placebo effect on the research outcome. In the study of magnets on patients, patients
can easily determine if the magnet he is given is a genuine or counterfeit magnet,
simply by testing it with an iron or steel object. Therefore, more research should be
encouraged not only in the study of the effects of magnetic fields on pain, but also in
the proposal of continual improvements in the designs for such experiments.
Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy
Whilst much emphasis has been placed on the use of static magnets in
therapeutic magnetic products, it is also important to note that there is another form of
magnetotherapy involving the use of time-varying electromagnetic fields, known as
PEMF. PEMF has been used as therapeutic agents over the last 40 years, following
convincing evidence that electric currents can accelerate bone formation.[30] However,
it is only used to improve the healing of some fractures, as it is not as effective
compared to approaches like bone grafting.[10]
Several writers have concluded that studies on PEMF therapy have yielded
more promising results compared to therapies involving the use of static magnets in
the area of pain relief and healing,[2][11] indicating that research conducted on PEMF
therapy has indeed displayed a greater percentage of positive results.[2][31][32][33] As
such, there could be a greater possibility that PEMF can impact the human body much
more compared to static magnetic therapy. But as of the present, PEMF therapy for
other medical uses besides its use for the acceleration of bone formation, still remains
largely inconclusive, as with static magnetic therapy.
Conclusion and The Future of Magnetotherapy
In concluding the case of magnetotherapy, it is important to know that its
gradual emergence in our healthcare industry calls for greater concern from society.
For every research that has been published providing promising and optimistic results,
it has been noted to be matched by another that contradicts the latter. This
swashbuckling battle between proponents and skeptics in the field of magnetotherapy
has indeed left many clueless and paradoxical as to what the truth is exactly. In fact,
the myriad of different scientific evidence presented to our community today will
confound a layperson even more, instead of directing one in the right direction. Such a
situation on top of the potential benefits magnetotherapy has shown from pilot studies
warrants attention from both researchers and health authorities. Further research
should be encouraged, and preliminary results to date should not be left to waste. But
in light of the very nature of bioelectromagnetic research, where there is a high
inability to reproduce and replicate work conducted in different laboratories[30], the
road ahead may indeed prove to be a formidable challenge.
For the time being, it is safe to say that following the regulations and advice
from health authorities will do no harm, and perhaps even protect citizens from
unfulfilled expectations and unnecessary financial losses. This would be a reasonable
stand, considering that the general consensus of the medical society still regards
magnetotherapy as an unproven form of medical therapy. Also as examined above,
there are several assertions by proponents that consumers should seriously consider
before purchasing biomagnetic products, namely magnetotherapy and its effectiveness
on the influence on blood flow, the general well-being of humans, cancer and pain
relief. Knowing the arguments discussed in the above paper would certainly help one
to make a more informed decision. However since there are no definite conclusions
yet, magnetotherapy would still be considered dubious, until proven otherwise.
As for the loyal subscribers of magnetotherapy, one however cannot totally
fault them for being naïve as there are indeed evidences pointing towards
effectiveness in magnetotherapy. Nonetheless, it would be wise for them to keep
magnetotherapy where it should be at the moment – as a complementary form of
medicine and no more than that. Given our current situation, magnetotherapy perhaps
will remain as a hope for the hopeful, a lie in the eyes of the doubtful, and possibly
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